I mentioned it in the notes, but I’ll elaborate here a bit more: the liquid inside the tank.

Mewtwo is submerged in a perfluorocarbon (PFC) This liquid is oxygen-rich and can carry more oxygen and carbon dioxide than blood. Its property is high solubility of respiratory gasses. While Mewtwo is using total liquid ventilation (TLV), we have seen clinical trials of partial liquid ventilation (PLV) in medicine.

The infamous rat scene in The Abyss is another example of TLV. The rat was submerged in–and breathed–PFC on-camera. Initial submersion would activate a panic response until the brain recognizes that, no, it’s not drowning.

Mewtwo started life breathing PFC, and was once again utilizing it in a lab setting. So, what happens if he stops liquid breathing and breathes air? The liquid in his lungs simply evaporates.

So, why TLV? In addition to containment procedures (the tank looks to use a system of high-powered electromagnets to produce a restrictive magnetic field to keep Mewtwo locked in place), total liquid ventilation is easier on Mewtwo’s lungs. Mechanical ventilation is very harsh. It dries out tissue and the intubation can damage vocal cords. Liquid breathing, however, would be far more beneficial and efficient to Mewtwo, allowing him to breathe on his own and not be as harsh on his body.

Let’s be real, here. We’ve all seen how he moves and how his body reacts to physical effort, and even the tired relent after he exerts his powers. A stiff breeze could take him out. If you’re going to poke and prod this twenty-something-year-old clone, you’d best be gentle about it.

@xxtc-96xx

yeah that’s the theory I always figured as well, breathable fluid that’s easier on his airways and lungs

og movie it was like artificial amniotic fluid, the probes/tubes were providing oxygen to him